Dreading induction 40 weeks....

Bit of a long shot - but I would love to hear some positive-ish induction experiences.

I had an induction for my 1st baby, and looks like it is heading that way for this baby.

I didn't have a great experience, but know that isn't the same for all...

Starting to dread the examinations and the time it takes to get things moving....

Any words of wisdom?

Xxx

[Beechnut1]

Hi,

Hopefully you still have time to beat them to it!

I had a really positive induction. Very fast and I had an amazing birth.

Not sure what your birth story is with your first but if you’re body has laboured before (even if you didn’t birth vaginally) it should realise what it’s got to do a lot quicker.

Good luck! Xxx

[Hidden in reply to Beechnut1]

Thanks Beechnut - that's good to hear something positive!

Fingers crossed xxx

[AuroraXen]

I don't have any experiences either way yet, I'm afraid! But just wanted to wish you lots of luck, I hope this birth is a much better experience for you xx

[Hidden in reply to AuroraXen]

Thanks for your kind words Aurora xxx

[Hidden]

I know a few ladies who had really positive experiences with induction. You’re so close to meeting your little one. How exciting. Best of luck ❤️

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Nats!

Trying to avoid the anxiety as I get closer to delivering! 😋

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

it’s all completely normal. A couple of my NCT had inductions and they went well 🥰

[Zeebee14]

I had a positive experience with being induced. I was induced at 40+2 at my choice. I asked for an out patient induction, which meant they put the Propess pessary in and let me go home for 24 hours and ring them and go back to hospital if things started happening. 24 hours later nothing had happened so I went back to hospital. I was slightly dilated at 1.5cm so they said the next stage would be to break my waters. I had to wait in hospital another night until they had a bed ready for me in the delivery suite for them to do it. However the next night my waters broke spontaneously and contractions started immediately. I went from 2cm to 9cm overnight in about 6 hours. It was a natural labour however the doctors came in after an hour of pushing and said they need to use forceps to help get the baby out. They did an episiotomy to start the process but on the next contraction the head came out, followed by the body on the next one, so I didn’t need forceps in the end. So for me it was pretty quick once my waters had broken.

I think the hardest part of being induced for most people is the waiting around in hospital, so I’d ask if you can go home if they’ll let you. They’ll only let you if you have no complications. For me the only ‘high risk’ element was my age (over 40) and it being IVF.

I’d also look into hypnobirthing, as that definitely got me through the earlier contractions through the night. I used The Positive Birth Company and can’t recommend it enough. It really changes your mindset about labour and helps understand the science behind the contractions and what your body is doing.

Good luck with everything, and remember to focus on the baby you’ll have in the end no matter what happens in the birth. X

[Hidden in reply to Zeebee14]

Thanks so much for this message. The consultant originally said I could try going home - so will ask them for sure.

It sounds like a great option.

I've had no complications - just over 40!

Xxx

[Livinginhope101]

I was induced with my first baby, and like you it wasn't a positive experience. My second birth experience was to deliver my twins. My waters broke so it wasn't an induction but I had an epidural this time, which I hadn't with my first, and it was a totally different experience. No pain, much more positive and I'd highly recommend an epidural. I think you can have one with an induction birth so that would be my choice. Good luck x

[Hidden in reply to Livinginhope101]

Yes I loved my epidural last time - it is the first thing I am going to request when I go in on Monday!

Thanks for your message xxx

[Missfh]

If you're really not keen to be induced you can decline, or postpone a few days. I'm 43 so they have said they will want to induce at 40 weeks; I declined and we have compromised on a 40 week scan to check placenta function, then they can also do heart rate checks for baby every couple of days too.

Whilst it can be quite alarming when they talk of increase in stillbirth risk, the actual risk is still very very small so it's worth really weighing that up against the downsides of induction.

X

[Hidden in reply to Missfh]

Thanks so much. Yes they make you so scared don't they!

This is good to know xxx

[Rollercoastersmiles]

I had a great induction! Induced on a Saturday night with contractions starting Sunday morning (meaning I got a good night sleep!!) and baby born early Sunday afternoon. It was an outpatient induction, which meant I could go home after the pessary was inserted and I really think that helped labour progress so may be worth asking if that’s an option for you?

Good luck!!!

[Hidden in reply to Rollercoastersmiles]

I am definitely asking for this!!

Xxx

[HollyT7]

I hear you! My first was just awful, I literally tried everything to start my second. I pushed for a second pessery and had my heart set on a water birth as no pain relief worked with my first. I ended up having to have my waters broke and still didn't progress so had to have the dreaded drip again, I was so upset. However... I opted an epidural before the drip this time and my gosh was it a different birth (minus another big bleed but that's another story!), I would honestly do it all again it was that different to my first ❤️

[Hidden in reply to HollyT7]

Ah yes I loved the epidural this time - I will go for it again for sure!

I think the initial stages were the worst for me - pre the drip. I had a drip and epidural and it was quicker then...

Arghhh inductions in general are a pain....

Thanks for sharing your experience xxx

[HollyT7 in reply to Hidden]

You will boss it for sure!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[Savvy_teapot]

Thinking of you over this week hope it goes well. 💞

[Hidden in reply to Savvy_teapot]

Thanks so much 🙏

[Mummybear171923]

I think the induction process is quite dependent on how ready the baby is to come.With my first my induction was a long process and I needed every single intervention available to get me ready for labour and during the labour to get him here safely which was three days after the first pessary.

With my second when I went in to be induced I was ready to just have my waters broken (although I was exactly 41 weeks) and once they were I went into labour quickly and my son was born within two hours. I didn't even have time to get my epidural which was the only thing written in my birthing plan.

So my experiences from my first and second we're completely different so yours may be too.

Good luck and I will keep an eye to see when your little bundle of joy has arrived 🥰

[Hidden in reply to Mummybear171923]

Ah thanks! Fingers crossed it could be the same pattern for me. X